The Missouri Scholars Academy is a residential school that operates seven days each week, enrolls only academically gifted students and provides a curriculum different from that found in the traditional public or private school. It offers unique opportunities for students to enhance their academic skills; assimilate the accumulated knowledge of the culture; relate to contemporary issues; deepen understanding of themselves and their unique abilities; and engage others in critical-thinking and problem-solving activities.

The Academy’s curriculum is designed to give participants an opportunity to pursue studies that differ from traditional educational programs. Guest lecturers, forums, and other events during the academy reinforce and extend the curriculum. The curriculum is organized into three areas of study:

Area I: Academics (Major)On the basis of personal interests and abilities, each scholar will select one course of study from the four major academic offerings: mathematics, science, social studies and humanities. Scholars will spend three hours each day, six days a week, in intensive academic pursuits in their academic major.

Area II: Academics (Minor)Scholars will study a second academic field for one hour each weekday afternoon. Ordinarily, they will enroll in a field different from their major. Scholars will receive Area I and Area II information shortly after their acceptance into the Academy.

Area III: Personal and Social DynamicsThe curriculum in this area relates to the unique personal and social situations faced by gifted students. The goal is to provide scholars with insights into their own special needs and abilities, as well as the responsibilities they have to themselves and to society. All students will attend an Area III class one hour each weekday afternoon.

Faculty and staff for the Academy are selected from among highly qualified applicants representing public and private schools, colleges and universities, private businesses and other organizations. The staff is chosen on the basis of the scholars’ needs and interests and an applicant’s abilities, interests and willingness to participate with scholars in rigorous and challenging work.

Neither grades nor credit will be given; however, all scholars successfully completing the program will receive a special certificate of commendation. College applications often provide students an opportunity to explain their participation in special programs like the Missouri Scholars Academy.

While the 2017 Missouri Scholars Academy will be fully funded by State of Missouri, and we gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the citizens of Missouri and the ongoing support of the legislature.

It is suggested that scholars will need approximately $20 per week for personal expenses. Scholars are strongly discouraged from having large sums of money in the residence hall. Cash may be deposited with resident assistants. Scholars should bring three rolls of quarters for vending and laundry machines. ATMs are available on the MU campus.

Scholars are financially responsible for any damages in the residence hall caused by inappropriate behavior.

The official telephone number of the 2017 Missouri Scholars Academy will be determined in late May 2017 and will be provided to all scholars. It will be staffed every day from 6:30 AM - 10:30 PM. Emergency telephone information will be distributed on opening day, as scholars check in.

MSA 2017 scholars will be housed in Mark Twain Residence Hall, a modern facility very near classrooms and auditoria used by MSA. Most of the academy classes and extracurricular activities will be held nearby. Male and female participants will be assigned to separate floors and will usually share a room with another participant. Academy officials will make room assignments and will reside on each floor during the Academy. Each scholar will be issued an identification card that will allow “card swipe” access to his/her residence hall room. Supervision of the residence hall will be provided by a hall coordinator and several resident assistants (RAs), each of whom will work closely with about 20-25 scholars. In addition, regular University security procedures will ensure a safe environment for participants.

With very few exceptions, MU residence halls do not have individual land-phones. Scholars who bring cell-phones will be allowed to use them on their residence hall floors only. In most cases, this will mean after the day’s activities are over and before “Light’s Out!” Scholars who do not have cell-phones will be able to make collect or credit-card calls from the few land-phones that are on each residence hall floor. For those who want a longer version of the Cell Phone and Other Technology Policy, click here.

It is important for everyone to recognize that MSA allows making new friends while maintaining appropriate contact with family. Over-dependence on cell-phones and other electronic devices will inevitably and negatively affect the quality of a Scholar’s experience at MSA.

Family members will receive clear instructions on how to contact their children should unforeseen events occur.

MU Residence Halls are also equipped with vending machines.

Coin-operated laundry facilities are available in the residence hall. The University will supply fresh bed linens each week and fresh towels periodically. A blanket and pillow for each bed will also be provided. Since the hall is air-conditioned, scholars are encouraged to bring a light blanket.

Scholars will be expected to keep their room neat. Room inspections will be conducted periodically. There is to be no cooking in the rooms, but small amounts of food may be kept in closed containers. Participants will be served three meals each day in one dining hall; multiple menu selections will be offered at every meal, thereby meeting the needs of most special diets. Scholars with special dietary or other health needs should indicate these on the questionnaire they will receive. The MSA medical office maintains a refrigerator for medications which require refrigeration. Refrigerators are neither needed nor allowed in individual rooms. Periodic “care packages” from home with cookies and other light snacks that can be shared with scholars’ house members are always welcome!

The academy will provide an identification card for each scholar, using a wallet-size photo furnished for the scholar. The identification card will be used for obtaining meals, using the University library, cashing checks and participating in the University of Missouri campus programs. Scholars are advised to bring one additional form of identification.

Daily mail service (Monday through Friday) will be provided. The scholars’ mailing address while at the Academy will be:

Each scholar will receive his/her residence hall room assignment, along with the name and address of his/her roommate. The Academy strongly encourages roommates to contact each other prior to the academy in order to coordinate arrangements for special equipment and personal furnishings. Three meals, plus a nightly snack, are provided each day. Shortly after notification of selection, students will be sent a questionnaire and asked to indicate any particular dietary, medical, or other special needs.

Family Day is Sunday, June 25, 2017. Families may arrive as early as 8:00 am to sign their scholars out or visit with their scholars in the residence hall. Special activities will be planned by the academy staff between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., beginning with a general presentation at 1:00 p.m. in the Jesse Hall Auditorium. Afterward, family members will have the opportunity to visit with the scholar’s teachers and experience different activities at MSA. Family visits are not allowed at other times during the academy since the scholars have busy schedules, and activities are planned for almost every minute. Scholars will be permitted to leave the academy only on Family Day, and then only with parents or legal guardians.

The Missouri Scholars Academy is concentrated and intensive. Classes and enrichment activities are scheduled throughout the three weeks, including weekends. Participating scholars are expected to register at the beginning of the program and remain in residence for the duration, except on Family Day as noted above. Scholars will not be permitted to spend the night off-campus or to have overnight guests.

Participants will not be excused to attend conventions, conferences, camps, workshops, competitions, pageants or family vacations. Leaves of absence are not permitted except in emergency situations. Academy officials should be consulted as soon as possible if an emergency arises.

The Missouri Scholars Academy considers it unethical and unfair to other candidates for a student to accept a nomination, knowing in advance that permission will be sought at a later date to be absent during the program. As part of the application process, both students and parents sign a permission agreement which includes a commitment to remain at the academy for the three-week period. Students who do not complete the entire program will not receive a certificate of commendation and will not be considered alumni of the Academy.

Scholars are not allowed access to automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles and other kinds of vehicles during the three weeks of the Academy. Safety and insurance concerns as well as additional costs for university parking permits make having a vehicle on campus prohibitive. Only in emergency situations will a scholar be permitted to drive him/herself to the Academy. This exception is permitted only with prior approval from the co-directors.

A full range of recreational facilities will be available to scholars, including swimming pool, etc. All of these are described in the official student handbook distributed on opening day. Supervised activities (evening seminars and tours) in which all scholars will be expected to participate also will be part of the program. Sports activities will be noncompetitive and limited to non-contact sports. University insurance regulations preclude scholars from having access to any weightlifting equipment or use of any campus weightlifting facilities.

The Missouri Scholars Academy encourages scholars to enjoy healthy physical activities and sports. We offer organized opportunities to play basketball, volleyball, jog, swim, and make use of limited sections of the Student Recreation Center. MSA furnishes appropriate supplies for many of these SRC activities. During their free time, scholars may also play games on their own, but to preserve the safety of all members of our community, we will strictly enforce the following guidelines.

Games during which items are thrown at players are prohibited (including but not limited to kickball and dodge ball).

Scholars may play catch outside with soft items approved by staff, such as frisbees, hackey sacks, tennis balls, wiffle balls, or foam balls. Prohibited items include footballs, baseballs and bats (including wiffle ball bats). PLEASE DO NOT BRING THESE PROHIBITED ITEMS WITH YOU TO THE ACADEMY.

Scholars must wear shoes during all activities.

There are no tennis facilities available for MSA participants.

We hope that in the spirit of these guidelines scholars will always practice caution and good sense. Any sport or activity deemed inappropriate or dangerous may be be prohibited at the discretion of the staff.

Academy participants will be able to take advantage of a wide range of cultural activities including concerts and drama productions. Each scholar will receive a daily calendar of events including those for which he/she must sign up in advance.

In addition to the academy medical personnel, University Student Health Services will be available to participants. Any consultation with private physicians for illnesses, prescription medicine or major medical expenses will be the family’s responsibility. If a scholar has special health or dietary needs and medication requirements, Academy officials must be notified prior to the start of the Academy. Scholars are asked to provide the Missouri Scholars Academy with exact information on personal medical insurance. A copy of relevant medical insurance policy in effect for each scholar is required.

Arrangements will be made for optional attendance to a wide range of religious services in the city of Columbia. Transportation will be provided. Scholars are encouraged to attend services of their choice.

Scholars will have some unscheduled time in late afternoons and evenings and on weekends. Numerous activities will be scheduled at these times; scholar attendance will be voluntary, but highly encouraged, in most cases.

Basic classroom needs, such as pencils, paper, notebooks, etc., will be the scholar’s responsibility (These can also be purchased at the campus bookstore).

The residence hall is air-conditioned, so students are advised to bring a light blanket.

Scholars should not bring laptop or desktop computers, DVD players, televisions, large stereos, or walkie-talkies. Scholars will have access to computers and other electronic equipment as a part of their Academy activities and should not bring these items with them. Small stereos, iPods, and other small music players are allowed.

Cell phone use will be limited to the residence hall floors.

MSA provides each scholar with clean sheets, a pillow, a blanket, two towels, and a washcloth. Scholars may exchange their bedding for freshly laundered sheets once each week, and they may exchange towels and washcloths twice each week at the free linen exchange in the Residence Hall. Scholars may bring their own linens to supplement those provided, and are encouraged to bring an extra towel for the pool as well as a light blanket.

The dress code at MSA has been designed to ensure a respectful, distraction-free learning environment. Clothing that displays offensive, unhealthy, or inappropriate logos or language is prohibited. Clothing items must fully cover the undergarments, cleavage, midriff, and upper thighs at all times.

Other guidelines:

Every scholar is required to wear his/her academy nametag, prominently displayed on the upper torso, for the duration of the academy. Nametags may not be altered without the approval of residential life staff.

Shoes must be worn at all times when a scholar is away from his/her assigned floor in the residence hall.

Pajamas and/or sleepwear may not be worn anywhere other than the scholar’s assigned floor in the residence hall.

Gym clothing such as ripped-sleeve shirts and running shorts may only be worn while engaging in planned athletic activities.

One-piece swimwear is encouraged. Tankinis or modest two-piece swimsuits will be allowed. Speedos and other similarly tight male swimwear are prohibited.

The opening ceremony, teacher appreciation program, and closing convocation are semi-formal events requiring scholars to dress nicely. For males, button-up shirts, ties, and slacks are encouraged, jackets are not required. For females, dresses, or skirts or nice trousers with blouses are recommended.

Academy officials are aware that some activities may require temporary departures from some of the requirements listed here. Academy officials will have final authority in determining what constitutes appropriate dress. Items not specifically identified here may be considered unacceptable if they draw undue attention to any scholar or create a significant distraction. Any scholar wearing inappropriate dress will be required to modify his/her clothing immediately.

The Missouri Scholars Academy is a model program that often hosts visitors from other states, the Department of Education, the General Assembly, and the press. Students should dress in a manner appropriate to their status as guests of the state of Missouri.

Each day at MSA allows scholars to choose from a wide range of extracurricular activities. These will allow scholars to sample study a broad range of topics and to investigate numerus future possibilities for personal, professional, and academic goals.

Scholars should plan to arrive at the University campus between 8:45 and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 11, 2017. This will allow time for registration and moving into the residence hall before the opening convocation at 1:30 p.m. (A detailed schedule of opening day activities and suggested arrival times will be mailed to participants in late May-early June. This schedule will include all aspects of arrival, unloading, and parking.) Tours of those parts of the campus to be used by the Academy will be conducted during the morning scholars arrive.

The opening convocation, for which formal clothing is recommended, will be in the Jesse Hall Auditorium on the Francis Quadrangle. After the convocation, a scholar/parent orientation will be held in Jesse Auditorium. Scholars are required to attend both the convocation and orientation. Parents are also encouraged to attend both events.

The first meal served at the Academy will be dinner at 5:00 p.m. June 11, 2017. After dinner, scholars will have informal meetings with the teaching faculty, resident assistants, program coordinator and other support staff members. After these meetings, a social activity will be held to introduce scholars to one another and to the faculty and staff.

A closing ceremony is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, 2017. Families may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. to help Scholars move out of the residence hall. Scholars must pack their belongings, move out, and “check out” with their resident assistant in time to participate in the closing ceremony. Scholars will leave the academy after the ceremony concludes and should not plan to return to the residence hall. The residence hall must be vacated by 10.